there is no PENALTY in calling 911. If you think a child is in danger, I recommend calling 911. You could meet the officers outside if you don't want to disturb your parents. OR .. let your parents know first.

watch for the police through a window and when they arrive, step outside.

idk if theres a child in danger..i mean. i heard the scream 3 times and then nothing. silence. absolutely nothing. but i've heard about those creepy rapists that use a recording of a childs scream/cry to lure people outside..? thats kinda why i was freaked out..

wake your parents up, tell them what's up and have them call 911.

Call police, give address, stay inside. They'll at least send a patrol car around.

Your parents will not be upset with you for waking them up when you have a reason to be freaked out. They are there to protect you - that is their job.

I have also heard of that same tactic. That's so disgusting. Definitely call 911 - you obviously don't want to and should not go outside, and there is no penalty for calling 911. If a child was hurt, they will get held. If it is a person that should not be there, they will be taken care of. If there is nothing, than at least you will know.

...my parents wont be mad for waking them up? I beg to differ. you people don't know my dad.. he was pissed. So now, not only is he pissed because i woke him up, he's pissed because apparently, it was cats that i heard. 2 fighting cats. Because he went outside, and heard it too. cats. of all things. cats. so now, in tears from being yelled at, i also feel like a complete idiot.

*sighs* im sorry i disturbed the boards with nonsense.

Don't feel like an idiot. We all get creeped out sometimes when it turns out to be something completely harmless. It's too bad your dad got mad at you and yelled, but at least you can still go to sleep knowing there isn't something sinister going on outside, right?
I grew up in the country and there were all sorts of creepy sounds out there. I can't count the amount of times I woke my parents up when it was late at night and something scared me. (Dad usually got annoyed about it, because he got woken up for nothing, but he never stayed mad.. like it was always forgotten the next day)

#1 - you didn't disturb the board w/nonsense!!!!

I know your dad is pissed, but he'll get over it. At least NOW you know what it was and you won't be anxious.

i suppose. i do however feel bad about posting something so off topic. but i do have a serious question.. could such thoughts that i have been led to be a sign of PTSD?

You didn't disturb anyone hon...please don't apologize. I know that must have been very scary for you!

I'm sorry your father isn't more understanding.

{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}

I know, your Dad should be laughing with you and comforting you.

I've heard cats that sound JUST LIKE children/ babies!!! And they have scared me half to death---& I've owned cats almost all my life!!!So don't feel bad, anymore---you did the right thing!

Hugs!!!

your dad will get over it!....Ya did what ya thought Ya had to do. won't be the first time, may not be the last time....

lol

least you faced your fears.

good job.

Contrarily, think of how you would have felt IF you heard that, and did nothing... IF in a few days, YOU heard that a child down the street turned up dead (worst case scenario) in a local hospital under suspicious circumstances. You misjudged. But, at LEAST you acted! TOO many times, we "humans" neglect to act, when we could have saved a life.
One night I came home at 2:30am in the dead of Winter to find a 3yr old boy in his underwear screaming on the street for his mother. He had a story about his dad chasing his mother into the woods. I was hesitant to intrude, because I did not want to submit a family to possibly losing this child with social services intervention, because of some freak circumstances. So, I eventually carried him to the home that he said was his, and knocked - no answer. Then, I entered and called. As I was getting a story from a drowsy older brother that I eventually awoke, the child's mom entered after her closing shift at a fast food restaurant. She was actually VERY pissed off at me for being in her home. It seems her husband was a long haul truck driver (the boy had tried to show me where his dad parked his truck). The teen-age brother had been left in charge of the little one, while the mother worked the night shift. But, the teen had fallen asleep with the tv on, and not heard the little one wake up from a nightmare (based on truth, I still, have no idea), and eventually wander outside and down the streets in his flimsy pjs, barefoot in the sub-zero temps, calling for his "Mama." I have had a few incidences such as this, where I have intervened, and I am NEVER sorry. Children are infinitely vulnerable! ANYONE can have one - no credentials, no degree, no certificate, no license required. And, usually they have no protection, unless they turn up somewhere in public sufficiently injured to require immediate emergency intervention. You should be commended for your willingness to aid the helpless. Parents, unfortunately, are not infallible, and are NOT always correct. Your father was WRONG in how he responded to your mistake.
Have you seen the video from Connecticut of the older man being hit by a few cars in broad daylight, with many vehicles and people moving around him, looking at him, and senselessly LEAVING him lay there, injured severely in the street?
Take PRIDE in the fact that YOU are NOT one of those people...
Do unto others & ALWAYS protect those, who can NOT protect themselves. God Bless YOU!

P.S. - I wish EVERYONE had better parents - EVERY ONE!